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Any Madame can tell you that the bridal gown selection is the most important part of the wedding … after the groom, of course. Whether you’re looking for fairy princess frills or minimalist mode, here are some tips from WE tv’s Gown Guru Mark Ingram.

Do Mind Your Health: The most expensive dress in the world won’t look good if you’ve run yourself ragged before the big day. “It’s really important to be in your best physical shape,” says Ingram of Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier. “That means sleeping, eating, keeping to a normal regimen.”

Don’t Do An Extreme Makeover: Yes, you want to look gorgeous in your gown, but Ingram advises against: ” trying to transform yourself into something physically very different on your wedding day. I do appreciate that girls have weight-loss goals. What’s all the fuss about trying to lose 20 pounds? Then you won’t even look like yourself on your wedding day. You’re going to be worn out, stressed out and your fiancé might not even recognize you.”

Do Have A Supportive Crew: “Incorporate people you love and trust when you shop for the dress,” counsels Ingram. “Don’t rely on the peanut gallery to make that decision for you. Make that decision with people who have a vested interest in you looking well and who aren’t jealous of you. Bring your friends who will tell you the truth and make sure you look beautiful.”

Don’t Be Too Trendy: “There’s been quite a movement to make wedding gowns so au courant with what’s happening in ready-to-wear and couture fashion and I think you must really look at this as something very different,” says Ingram. “This is a sacred part of your life, bow to tradition in some way, shape or form instead of trying to be so avant garde. You don’t want to look at your picture ten years from now and say, ‘What was I thinking?’ because the dress looks so trendy and of-the-moment that it’s dated. Keep some classic elements.”

Do Focus on The Positive: “Every girl feels differently about her body. Heavy girls may think thin girls have it all, but thin girls may wish they had more curves. If you feel badly about parts of your body, find a dress that is going to highlight what you do like. Feel beautiful. You’ve got the ring, you’ve got the man. The hard work is done. This is the easy part, you just have look pretty. This is supposed to be fun.”

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